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TCI: Mental Health in Adolescents

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#Providenciales, April 3, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The WHO defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity…”.  Mental health, specifically, is defined as not just the absence of a mental disorders but a state of well-being in which a person realizes their own abilities, is able to cope with life’s normal stresses, is able to work regularly and productively and is able to contribute to society.  Good mental health is therefore the foundation for an individual’s and a community’s effective functioning and well-being.  It is therefore critical to ensure the sound mental health of each individual beginning from childhood and throughout the lifespan.  Hence as a society it is our duty and obligation to nurture and maintain the mental health of everyone, especially our children and adolescents.  For the purpose of this article we will focus on adolescents.

Adolescence is defined as the developmental stage between ages 11 and 19/20 and is a time of great hormonal storms, decisions, pressures, identity formation, learning and personality formation.  While many adolescents have good mental health, multiple physical, emotional and social changes, along with various risk factors (see beneath) can all make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems.  These factors can also determine the mental health of an individual into their adult life.  This stage of life is also the time to develop healthy physical, emotional and social habits to secure one’s mental health and some of these positive habits will be discussed later. 

Let’s review the statistics, according to the WHO:

  • Of the world population 1 in every 6 persons is aged 10 to 19.
  • 16% of the burden of disease & injury in the 10 to 19 age group is due to mental illness
  • 50% of all mental health conditions start at age 14 but are largely undiagnosed or undetected, largely due to lack of knowledge, awareness and stigmatization.
  • Globally depression is a leading cause of disability and illness among adolescents and the 9th leading cause of overall illness in that age group, with anxiety being the 8th leading cause.
  • At its worse, depression can result in suicide and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide among 15-19 year olds.
  • Failure to address mental conditions in adolescence unavoidably results in physical and mental challenges in adulthood and consequently limits the ability to lead fulfilling lives.
  • Childhood behavioral disorders are the 6th leading cause of disease burden among adolescents.  Such disorders affect academic performance and usually lead to delinquency.
  • Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder normally emerge in adolescence and often co-exist with depression, anxiety and/or substance abuse.
  • Mental health issues account for self-harm in adolescents and in 2016, approximately 62,000 adolescents died globally from self-harm.
  • In 2016, interpersonal crime was the 2nd leading cause of death among older adolescent males.

Risk factors:

Some of the risk factors which predispose adolescents to mental illness include but are not limited to:

  • Poverty and lack of opportunities, educational and otherwise.
  • Physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, with special emphasis on sexual abuse.
  • Parental neglect, abandonment, and incest.
  • Violence and trauma at home and in the community.
  • Harsh parenting and bullying.
  • The stresses & struggle of identity formation as one fights for autonomy.
  • Peer pressure to conform and experiment with different trends.
  • Exploration of their sexual identity and sexual orientation.
  • The extensive & inappropriate exposure to social media and technology.
  • The disparity between their actual life and their perceptions/aspirations of the future.
  • The quality of life at home and with their peers.
  • Adolescents who belong to minority groups, are stigmatized or due to discrimination or exclusion.
  • Chronic illness, developmental disorders, and disabilities.
  • Teenage pregnancy and/or abortions, teenage parents, and those in early life marriages.
  • Orphans.
  • Exposure to alcohol and drug use at an early age.
  • Genetic factors (hereditary traits of mental illness).
  • Poor coping mechanisms and lack of social support systems.

Types of mental illness among adolescents:

While the array of mental health conditions is wide and varied, just a few common ones will be highlighted for the purpose of bringing greater awareness. 

  • Emotional disorders e.g. depression, anxiety, along with excessive irritability, frustration or anger and mood swings.  These can also lead to clinical depression and bipolar disorder.
  • Emotionally related physical symptoms e.g. stomach aches, headaches, nausea, acne.
  • Behavioral disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder, ADHD, and disruptive behavioral disorder.
  • Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder which are also linked to body dysmorphic disorder.
  • Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia in it’s different forms.
  • Dissociative disorders such as dissociative identity disorder (also called multiple personality disorder) and depersonalization disorder.
  • Suicide and self-harm.
  • High risk behaviors e.g. drug use, promiscuity & unprotected sex, indulging in violent behaviors.

These conditions are chronic, long term conditions which can be controlled with medication, psychotherapy, and sound, consistent social support systems in the form of family, friends, mental health professionals, church and community.  Once clients comply with their medication regimes and counseling and there is good support then the possibility of patients living a relatively functional life is high.  Therefore, it is prudent to adopt the proactive approach in choosing prevention rather than cure when addressing mental illness, and being aware of the various risk factors empowers us to do so.

How do we nurture mental health in adolescents?

  • Establishing healthy, regular sleep patterns as well as healthy daily routines for them.
  • Providing a healthy diet and regular exercise for them
  • Developing adaptive coping mechanisms; these should be taught/modeled by responsible caring adults.  Teens look towards the adults in their life for guidance hence we must set the tone for behaviors if we wish to see them emulated.
  • Teaching them how to develop good decision making skills.  The decision making center of the brain does not fully develop until age 25, therefore it is crucial that we support our teens in their decision making.
  • Developing healthy interpersonal relationships with everyone in their circle.
  • Nurturing a healthy self-concept, with good self-esteem and self-worth.
  • Teaching them to understand, appreciate, embrace and most importantly manage their emotions.
  • Providing a happy, healthy home for them free of violence, abuse, aggression and anger.
  • Remaining open and available for them to talk and share whatever they may need to.
  • Spending quality time with them while you engage in healthy joint activities.
  • Providing discipline in a way which they can understand and discuss and also setting boundaries for them to operate within.
  • Remaining aware and interested in their life events, friendships, academic performance, and choices.
  • Speaking positively into their lives and future and helping them plan for their future.
  • Praising them for their efforts and accomplishments despite how seemingly small it may be; teens need to be encouraged especially by those they hold in high regard.
  • Being a reliable, responsible, dependable model to them in every way.
  • Giving them opportunities to develop autonomy and think for themselves so that they can differentiate as healthy individuals and not feel or remain overly dependent on others.
  • Treating them with respect; speaking with them and not with negativity and condescension.
  • Ensuring regular medical checkups and observing your teen for changes and challenges they may be experiencing.
  • Placing realistic expectations on them and not making unreasonable demands.  Each teen is unique with their own competencies and capabilities and therefore they should not be compared to others.  Comparison brings unnecessary pressure, frustration, and discontent as teens often struggle to meet unrealistic and unfair expectations set by the adults in their lives.

Remember our adolescents are the next generation of tomorrows world, the leaders, the innovators, the decision makers and the parents of another generation.  It is therefore in the best interest of all society to nurture, maintain and preserve the mental health of this precious generation with the hope that they will be given the best chance for a bright and productive future and that they will do the same for those to come after them.

Therefore, we hope that this information has brought some level of insight and will serve as a motivating force in nurturing mental health in our adolescents.

References:

  1. Adolescent Mental Health: WHO.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail.
  • How to Promote Good Mental Health: promisesbehavioralhealth.com/mental-health

Release: TCIG

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Frontier Airlines’ Arrival to Turks & Caicos Marks a Game-Changing Connection

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Turks and Caicos, October 25, 2025 – Budget-friendly skies are opening over the Turks and Caicos Islands as Frontier Airlines prepares to launch its first-ever nonstop flights between Providenciales International Airport (PLS) and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) — the world’s busiest air hub.

Starting December 20, 2025, the twice-weekly service will offer residents and tourists a direct, affordable gateway to and from the U.S. mainland. The new route marks Frontier’s debut in the Turks and Caicos, part of a major regional expansion that includes 22 new routes across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.

“We couldn’t be more excited to begin operations in Providenciales,” said Josh Flyr, Frontier’s Vice President of Network and Operations Design. “With our nonstop service to Atlanta, we’re making travel easier, more affordable, and unlocking connections to countless destinations across the U.S. and beyond. It’s not just about tourism — it’s about opportunity.”

Big Win for Providenciales and the Region

The move positions Howard Hamilton International Airport as a growing Caribbean hub. Frontier’s low-fare model is expected to stimulate visitor arrivals, particularly from Atlanta — a key U.S. tourism feeder city — while giving Turks and Caicos residents new, cost-effective travel options for business, education, and leisure.

Industry observers note that the timing couldn’t be better. Turks and Caicos tourism remains on an upward trajectory in 2025, with hotel occupancy and airlift both climbing following the pandemic rebound. Frontier’s entry adds competitive pricing to an air market long dominated by legacy carriers, expanding the reach of the destination to more budget-minded travelers.

A Wider Growth Strategy

The Atlanta–Providenciales launch is part of Frontier’s aggressive Caribbean push this winter, which also includes new flights to NassauSt. MaartenPuerto Vallarta, and San José del Cabo. Introductory fares to select destinations are as low as US $69 one-way.

For Turks and Caicos, the connection to Atlanta — one of Frontier’s strategic bases — means instant access to hundreds of onward destinations in North America and beyond.

As Frontier joins the expanding roster of carriers serving the islands, tourism officials are calling it a “win-win for accessibility and affordability.” And for travelers? It’s a golden ticket to paradise — at a fraction of the cost.

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Turks & Caicos Police Commissioner Urges Students to “Awaken Their Sleeping Giants”

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Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.

In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.

Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”

He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go.  “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said.  “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”

The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.

“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”

In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:

“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”

Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

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ISU SUPPORTS SUCCESSFUL MULTIAGENCY ENFORCEMENT EXERCISE IN FIVE CAYS AND BLUE HILLS

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 23 October 2025 — The Crown Land Unit, supported by the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) and the Immigration and Border Services, led the successful execution of a reclamation exercise in Five Cays and Blue Hills on Tuesday August 26, 2025. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force provided security for the operation which formed part of the Government’s mandate under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown Land.

During routine inspections, the Crown Land Unit identified three unoccupied, illegally constructed steel and concrete block structures on parcels 60610/226, 60610/228, and 60610/239, located in the area commonly referred to as Sand Bar Street, Five Cays. Notices of Illegal Occupation were issued in accordance with the Crown Land Ordinance, however the owners of the structures failed to comply with the instructions contained in the Notices. As a result, enforcement action was taken to remove the structures and reclaim the land.

The exercise resulted in the full reclamation of 1.18 acres of Crown Land, with the removal of three unauthorized structures which were all block and concrete structures from foundation to belt beam stages of development.

Following the reclamation in Five Cays, the team proceeded to Blue Hills where ten Letters of Illegal Occupation were served across two parcels, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to land protection and management.

The ISU reaffirms its commitment to supporting partner agencies in the coordinated management of Crown Land, ensuring that all enforcement actions are conducted lawfully, efficiently, and in the public interest.

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